NiG

Hi all

I was talking about drifting with a friend, that owns also a TA. I was wondering about its safety from the mechanic-parts point of view. He said that drifting don't cause much issues overall.




It can be.
I would try with you to analize in detail what parts are more likely to be damaged when drifting. I tried to make a picture:







As far as I know (and I know a little bit) I marked in red, green, magenta and cyan the more stressed arms.

When you drift, and expecially in the moment when the car stop drifting over the ground, a lateral force (R, L) is applied at the base of the wheel, causing it to "curve" vertically, thus maybe stressing the wheel hub assembly.
Anyway, a lateral force is applied to the lower control, the green marked axis.

What do you think?

The main question is: is it safe to perform some drifting, or is it going to damage your car parts?

THANKS

lb9 GTA

Drifting is tough on diffs as well as suspension, steering, and chassis. Less rear grip will help things survive but make the car more difficult to control. Keeping the wheels spinning as you exit the turn helps prevent the sudden lateral force and prevents snap oversteer. Something built with autocross/road race stuff should handle it no problem. I'm no expert though.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Drifting is tough on the testosterone as it makes you into a GURL!
It's not racing, it's syncronized swimming with cars.

lb9 GTA

Only people who have no clue about drifting say that. It actually requires a lot more car control than any other form of driving. But you are entitled to your opinion.

Driftcamaro86

Nascars drift all the time. I run a 4th gen rear diff in mine. My 305 doesnt have enough power so im doing a 5.3 swap. The main stress is the front suspension and then rear tires lol. I also still run an automatic and its held up to 4 events and daily driving.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Everything you do with a car wears it out. Just a matter of how much. Some activities will stress certain parts more than others so you have to monitor everything to stay as safe as possible. For sure drifting does a number on the tires more than most other stuff so budget for it. Drifting may not be the absolute fastest way round a track but it is a ton of fun and yet another thing to do with your car so shouldn't be dismissed. Bad enough having some of the F1 folks looking down their noses at everyone else.